Criterium hits road in Marikina

Criterium racing takes spotlight in Marikina today when close to 200 riders fight it out for honors and ranking points in the second leg of the Philamlife Cycling Search Invitational (CSI) Criterium Race at the Marikina Heights Liwasan Kalayaan.

Action is expected to heat up in the premier men’s elite and under-23 class featuring members of the Pagcor-Casino Filipino squad which saw action in the recent Langkawi Tour, where Victor Espiritu finished 10th in the Asian category.

Mayor Ma. Lourdes Fernando and Vice Mayor Marion Andres, will fire off the four-division event presented by Philpost at 8 a.m.

Twelve teams are entered in each class of the event, which stakes points on top of the cash prizes to the top finishers in each of the categories, including the youth, executive and masters.

Organized by Treo Sales and Management Corp., the event is the second leg of a 10-stage circuit aimed at providing the country’s top and aspiring riders a venue to hone their talent and skills.

It is backed by Pagcor, PCSO, Aktivade Thirst Quencher, Monterey, Nestle, Air21, Philamlife, PhilCycling and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Jeffrey Caritativo and Alexander Billon are expected to go flat out for a follow-up to their victories in the youth and masters divisions, respectively, in last month’s kickoff stage in Tarlac City.

The other rider to watch is Albert Primero Agnes Bikeshop Team member who is gunning for a second straight win in the centerpiece men’s elite class, which includes Bernard Luzon, Merculio Ramos, Albert Ramos, Sherwin Carrera and Sherwin Diamsay, who finished second in Tarlac.